HL Deb 22 January 2003 vol 643 cc109-10WA
Lord Dubs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are their targets for the growth of integrated education in Northern Ireland; and what resources have been allocated to them. [HL1051]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The target is for an average annual 10 per cent growth in enrolments in integrated schools in response to parental demand. In pursuit of this target, we fund the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education to develop proposals for new integrated schools and it is expected that the department will provide funding of £467,000 in the next financial year to the council. In addition, some £3.5 million has been provided to the Integrated Education Fund to support the development of the sector.

Funding will also continue to be made available, as and when necessary, for new integrated school projects which satisfy the normal viability criteria.